It is absolutely absurd to…

It is absolutely absurd to see Bill 17 threatening and reducing Green Development Standards and the actions that our municipalities can be undertaking to build better buildings, be more efficient, be more resilient, and ensure our population is better prepared for the future.

Climate change is real and our buildings are some of our greatest source of emissions. It is insane to be building 1.5 million new homes to yesterday's outdated standards when we know we have to electrify, get off natural gas and other fossil fuels, implement heat pumps and district heating, build stronger, better with more insulation, more airtightness, more energy efficiency and more innovative solutions- just like the rest of the world is.

Toronto's Green Development Standards were implemented 15 years ago because of a lack of provincial leadership and the need to do better. For a decade and half now Toronto has been building better buildings and GHG emissions are falling - unlike many other parts of the province where no actions have been taken and they continue to rise dramatically - dooming our future and planet.

Toronto's Green Development Standards as well as High Performance Building Standards should be the model for the province - not something to be overridden and dismantled.

Please repeal Bill 17, synchronize with the National Building Code and allow municipalities to demand the better buildings and communities that Canadians are going to require for the years ahead - while saving money on operating costs with more efficient, healthier and better buildings.